Kashmir Issue 'left Over By History', 'resolve Through Dialogue': China

20 October 2009PTI

Beijing: Ahead of its Foreign Minister's visit to Bangalore, China on Tuesday described the Kashmir issue as a question 'left over by history' and highlighted the need for India and Pakistan to 'properly' resolve it through dialouge. 'The Kashmir issue is a question left over by history that should be resolved properly through consultation and dialogue by India and Pakistan,' Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said. He made the remarks at a briefing when asked about China's stand on Kashmir in the wake of Beijing issuing separate visas to Indian passport holders from the state. Ma also announced that Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi will attend the Foreign Ministers' meeting of China, Russia and India in Bangalore on October 27. During the visit, Yang will also separately hold talks with his Indian counterpart, S M Krishna. The two foreign ministers will, in an extensive way, exchange views on bilateral ties and regional and international issues of common concern, Ma was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency. The trilateral meeting is taking place in the backdrop of recent unsavoury developments in Sino-Indian relationship on the issue of Arunachal Pradesh. Noting that China and India will mark the 60th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties next year, Ma said the two sides have agreed to take this opportunity to further advance their strategic cooperative partnership by holding a series of commemorative activities, including the 'country festival'.